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A Sacramento father of three has a simple worry: If Congress doesn\u2019t act before year-end, keeping his health insurance<\/a> may mean losing time with his children.<\/p>\n Clyde Sharikova-Sudarma, a local veterinarian who undergoes expensive annual MRIs for an ongoing medical condition, said his premiums could double next year.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to consider how I want to work financially with my family, either working more, spending less time with them, or … maybe I could go without the diagnostics, without the monitoring,\u201d the 35-year-old said. \u201cI talked to my wife about that, and it\u2019s a true consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharikova-Sudarma\u2019s dilemma mirrors that of thousands of Californians who rely on enhanced premium tax credits to make coverage affordable. His story underscored the urgency of what\u2019s at stake if Congress fails to extend this financial assistance as Covered California leaders gathered Friday to mark the start of the state\u2019s 13th open enrollment.<\/p>\n The enrollment window opened Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. Executive Director Jessica Altman and Congresswoman Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, used Friday\u2019s event to highlight the importance of affordable health coverage.<\/p>\n Families already faced sticker shock over premium increases without the enhanced tax credits, Matsui said. She added that Republicans, who control the House and Senate, have chosen chaos over negotiating a bipartisan agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cA family of four making the median family income here in Sacramento would see their premiums rise from $850 a month to $2,100 a month,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s $15,000 more they\u2019re spending on health care each year. That\u2019s groceries. That\u2019s child care.\u201d<\/p>\n Altman added that 1.7 million Californians receiving help could see average increases of 97%, and about 160,000 could lose subsidies entirely. More now than ever, she said, her agency is leaning upon health navigators and community partners to help guide consumers through plans and renewals.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is genuine connection that gets Californians covered,\u201d Altman said. \u201cThe connection between a consumer and a navigator …, between a doctor and a patient, between someone uninsured and the friend, neighbor or family member they rely on to give them advice.\u201d<\/p>\n